Welcome to the Piano World Piano ForumsOver 2 million posts about pianos, digital pianos, and all types of keyboard instruments
Join the World's Largest Community of Piano Lovers
(it's free)
It's Fun to Play the Piano ... Please Pass It On!

As a military veteran I can (and often do) swear like a sailor - but am able to restrain myself when posting on the internet. We have a broad spectrum of folks participating in PW - and we should behave accordingly - which includes avoiding profanities and being civil to each other. So what's the big deal????

As a military veteran I can (and often do) swear like a sailor - but am able to restrain myself when posting on the internet. We have a broad spectrum of folks participating in PW - and we should behave accordingly - which includes avoiding profanities and being civil to each other. So what's the big deal????

I wouldn't have minded as much (maybe not at all) if it had been announced and explained rather than having it take us by surprise.

Yes, I'd vote for more transparent communication from the moderators to the masses in general-- simple, clear statements about software changes, permanent and temporary bans, that sort of thing. But... their site, their rules. No problem with that.

I wouldn't have minded as much (maybe not at all) if it had been announced and explained rather than having it take us by surprise.

Understood.

I felt the same way recently when our health insurance plan (for which I pay an arm and leg every month) stopped covering "massage" in conjunction with chiropractic services - and didn't bother to notify us in advance. What a pain !!

Pogorelich.
4000 Post Club Member
Registered: 12/28/08
Posts: 4565
Loc: not somewhere over the rainbow

I was being sarcastic with my earlier post, FYI, and just as we should respect those who preach "proper and clean writing", we should respect the choice of those who like to express themselves in a different manner. It's a two way street.

Besides, there's no good word to substitute "[censored]!!!" when you happen to be particularly ticked off about something. And why should anyone take offense to that is beyond me. They're words, they're not directed AT anybody.

Plus, if I say "[censored] you" it can be just as offensive as being able to type the word itself. Moreover, it can even be MORE offensive because you don't exactly know what I wrote, but I'm sure you can let your imagination run wild... I honestly don't see the big deal; after all most of it is in good humour - a concept lost on some people.

Plus, if I say "[censored] you" it can be just as offensive as being able to type the word itself. Moreover, it can even be MORE offensive because you don't exactly know what I wrote, but I'm sure you can let your imagination run wild... I honestly don't see the big deal; after all most of it is in good humour - a concept lost on some people.

Angelina, I just discovered something about the forum censoring software. It only applies to how it's viewed. If I want to know exactly what you said I just quote a reply and it will be there in the editing pane. Your words do not actually get changed in the archive, just how it's viewed in the forum. So I can truthfully respond I'd love to, but the age difference would be awkward.

That's exactly how I feel about the other side of the argument. The world isn't going to end because someone can't say **** in a PM on an internet forum.

_________________________
"If we continually try to force a child to do what he is afraid to do, he will become more timid, and will use his brains and energy, not to explore the unknown, but to find ways to avoid the pressures we put on him." (John Holt)

I was being sarcastic with my earlier post, FYI, and just as we should respect those who preach "proper and clean writing", we should respect the choice of those who like to express themselves in a different manner. It's a two way street.

Isn't it really more about what is "appropriate" for a forum in which 12 and 13 year olds sometimes participate ??

I was being sarcastic with my earlier post, FYI, and just as we should respect those who preach "proper and clean writing", we should respect the choice of those who like to express themselves in a different manner. It's a two way street.

Isn't it really more about what is "appropriate" for a forum in which 12 and 13 year olds sometimes participate ??

Not just 12 and 13 year olds but people in general who find such language offensive.

_________________________
All theory, dear friend, is grey, but the golden tree of life springs ever green.

I was being sarcastic with my earlier post, FYI, and just as we should respect those who preach "proper and clean writing", we should respect the choice of those who like to express themselves in a different manner. It's a two way street.

Isn't it really more about what is "appropriate" for a forum in which 12 and 13 year olds sometimes participate ??

Not just 12 and 13 year olds but people in general who find such language offensive.

Mark_C
Yikes! 10000 Post Club Member
Registered: 11/11/09
Posts: 19969
Loc: New York

Originally Posted By: BruceD

I'm puzzled that some people think that the use of profanity in their writing makes their communication more effective.

That's actually a more interesting subject than might meet the eye.

First of all I imagine you'd say the same thing about using it in their speaking too.So let's talk about the whole thing.....

Maybe this will be taking what you said too literally, but you're implying that the only reason to do or not do something in communication is for "effectiveness." How about for expressing oneself, and for the feeling that you get from expressing it a certain way? (and avoiding the stifling effect of being inhibited from expressing a feeling)? I would suggest that this is also a strong reason for ways of communicating. We might disagree on how large a portion that should be, but if you disagree that it's any portion, IMO you would be mistaken.

Once we acknowledge that this reason is also in there, to any extent, the subject becomes up for grabs.

P.S. For what it's worth, in "The King's Speech," the ability to let loose with obscenities was portrayed as being important (or at least not irrelevant) to his getting over his problem -- and I agree with that, although this can be taken to simplistic extremes -- and, by extension, we might say that in general, overly inhibiting such communication isn't good for the human condition. Sure, lines need to be drawn. But IMO it doesn't make it to say flat-out that there's no good reason for such expressiveness.

_________________________
"Everything I say is my opinion, including the facts." :-)

I agree with Mr. Haddock, in that I really have nothing against foul language, but I reserve my use of it for when I'm alone or with someone who I know will not be offended by it and who can understand the spirit in which I'm using it. I'm also happy to not see it on internet forums (fora?) because there already is too much drama and uncivil behavior, and foul language especially without benefit of any non-verbal cues, only tends to fan the flames.

While we're on the subject of language, THANK YOU for getting this phrase correct. It's one of my pet peeves.

_________________________
"If we continually try to force a child to do what he is afraid to do, he will become more timid, and will use his brains and energy, not to explore the unknown, but to find ways to avoid the pressures we put on him." (John Holt)

Pogorelich.
4000 Post Club Member
Registered: 12/28/08
Posts: 4565
Loc: not somewhere over the rainbow

My whole point is that people are overreacting way too much.. As if 12 and 13 year olds never heard those words before. Oh well, the original point was PMs, which should not be censored seeing how they're not public. Hence you should get rid of the whole thing, since it affects PMs too. I never thought "bad" or "foul" language was a problem in the public forums in the first place.. People usually put signs or don't do it at all.

Andromaque
3000 Post Club Member
Registered: 08/29/08
Posts: 3886
Loc: New York

Funny side note as to the linguistic aspect of profanities: I can swear pretty "good" in English, may be not as good as carey, but still.. Of course I do it infrequently, never in writing, and it usually happens in the face of repetitive idiocy.. But, English is not my first language (something like third), and I would be dead or tomato red if swearing or cursing in these other languages I am fluent in. It is funny: cursing in English does vent out some steam but the social stigma and etiquette associated with poor language do not carry over, it would seem..

As for censorship, I am allergic to it in general. But I definitely do not enjoy reading profanities. So a way to curtail that, be it manually or grossly via substitution, is acceptable.

However, and I do repeat myself, transparency in policing is important.